BBuckwheat is one of my favourite alternatives to rice. It’s gluten-free, easy and quick to cook, you can toast it or leave it au naturel and add to trail mix or granola. It is rich in B vitamins, iron, protein, antioxidants and minerals and is reputed to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure whilst also controlling blood sugar levels.

Aduki beans are a good source of potassium, magnesium, iron, B6, protein and dietary fibre. They also contain many other essential nutrients like folate, calcium, manganese, copper and zinc.

Overall, this is a healthy, tasty and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

(Organic where possible, vegan and gluten-free, measurements very approximate.)

1 tsp Coconut Oil, melted but not smoking

2 Spring Onions, including greens, washed and chopped

1 Tsp Chilli Flakes (or according to taste, or fresh chilli, I’m a bit of a chilli wimp)

3/4 of a Courgette/ Zucchini, washed and chopped

2 medium Carrots, scrubbed and chopped

2 large Chestnut Mushrooms, washed and chopped

1 Cup Sweetcorn

Approx. 300mls Vegetable Stock + a good squirt of tomato purée

1/2 to 1 Tsp Raw Cacao Powder, mixed to a paste with a little water (not essential but it enhances the flavour)

1/2 Tin Aduki/Adzuki Beans, rinsed

1/2 Cup Buckwheat, rinsed

Black Pepper & Pink Himalayan Salt, to taste

*

Heat the oil, add the onions and stirfry for a minute or two. Add all the other vegetables, stirfry, add chilli flakes and black pepper, cover and sweat for a couple of minutes.

Add stock and tomato purée, beans. Cacao powder and buckwheat.

Cover and simmer on a low heat until the vegetables and buckwheat are cooked and most of the liquid absorbed but not mushy.